Dismissed¶19

Baijnath Mahto v. the State of Jharkhand

Jharkhand HC18 Feb 2026B.A./11045/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Jharkhand High Court Ranchi; B.A. No.11045 of 2025; Baijnath Mahto v. State of Jharkhand; renewed regular bail prayer rejected; NDPS Act Sections 17(b), 18(b), 22(b), 29; Keredari P.S. Case No.04 of 2025; NDPS Case No.12 of 2025; Additional Sessions Judge – VI Hazaribagh; custody since 07.01.2025; earlier bail rejection B.A. No.2268 of 2025 dated 14.08.2025; charge framed 22.05.2025; criminal antecedent of similar nature; two of twelve charge-sheeted witnesses examined; Rajesh Kumar J.; decided 18th February 2026.

What did the court decide?

This court was not inclined to reconsider the renewed prayer for regular bail of the applicant at this stage, considering his criminal antecedent of similar nature and the state of the trial, and accordingly the prayer for bail of the applicant stands rejected once again. ¶19

Baijnath Mahto Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

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2026:JHHC:4639

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A No.11045 of 2025

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Baijnath Mahto aged about 42 years, son of Tulsi Mahto, residents of village – Bilari (Hewai), P.O and Police Station – Keredari, District - Hazaribagh.

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…… Petitioner

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Versus

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The State of Jharkhand ….. Opp. Party --------CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR

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For the Petitioner : Mr. A. K. Chaturvedi, Advocate For the State : Mr. Pankaj Kumar, P.P ---------

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03/Dated: 18th February, 2026

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1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned counsel for the State.

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2. The applicant, who is in custody since 07.01.2025, has renewed his prayer for grant of regular bail in connection with Keredari P.S. Case No.04 of 2025, corresponding to NDPS Case No.12 of 2025, registered for the offence under Sections 17(b)/ 18(b)/ 22(b)/ 29 of the NDPS Act, pending in the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge – VI, Hazaribagh.

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It appears that earlier the prayer for bail of the applicant was rejected vide order dated 14.08.2025, passed in B.A. No.2268 of 2025.

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3. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that complete set of F.I.R along with its enclosures have been annexed with the present bail application and there is no suppression on his/ her part.

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Innocence of the applicant has been claimed and undertaking has been given for participation in the trial. It has been submitted that the charge has already been framed on 22.05.2025. It has further been submitted that the period of custody is the main ground for renewing the prayer for bail. On the above basis, prayer for bail has been made.

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4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State has opposed the prayer for bail stating that this applicant has criminal antecedent of similar nature.

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5. From perusal of the status report, submitted by the trial court, it appears that out of 12 charge-sheeted witnesses, two have been examined till date.

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B.A. No.11045 of 2025

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2026:JHHC:4639

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From perusal of record, it appears that this applicant has criminal antecedent of similar nature and that was the ground for rejection of his earlier bail application.

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6. Considering the above facts, I am not inclined to reconsider the prayer for bail of the applicant at this stage. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the applicant stands rejected once again.

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(Rajesh Kumar, J.)

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18^th February, 2026 Ravi-Chandan/Uploaded on 19.02.2026

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- 2 - B.A. No.11045 of 2025

Baijnath Mahto v. the State of Jharkhand

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Baijnath Mahto v. the State of Jharkhand

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

Issues for consideration

Statutes considered

Procedural history

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

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